terpene
|ter-pene|
🇺🇸
/ˈtɜːrpiːn/
🇬🇧
/ˈtɜːpiːn/
organic compound with strong odor
Etymology
'terpene' originates from the German word 'Terpentin,' which referred to 'turpentine,' a resin obtained from pine trees.
'Terpentin' transformed into the English word 'terpene' in the late 19th century as scientists began to study these compounds more closely.
Initially, it referred to 'turpentine,' but over time it evolved to describe a broader class of organic compounds with similar structures.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a large and diverse class of organic compounds, produced by a variety of plants, particularly conifers, and by some insects. They often have a strong odor and may protect the plants that produce them by deterring herbivores and by attracting predators and parasites of herbivores.
Essential oils often contain terpenes, which give them their distinctive scents.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/04/06 01:17